Space-X Test Flight: One Step Closer to an Astronaut Taxi

The United States is just a few weeks away from possibly seeing its first ever private delivery to the International Space Station, an important step in having an American option for shuttling astronauts to and from the ISS.

Space-X is getting ready to test their new spaceship – called Dragon – on April 30th. There are four companies that NASA is planning to use to transport U.S. astronauts to and from the Space Station, now that the shuttle fleet has been retired and the next generation of taxpayer-funded space vehicles have yet to be built.

Space-X could be the company furthest along in getting ready to do space business. Their test this month will be unmanned, but the ship will dock at the Station with a delivery of food and supplies. If the test succeeds, the U.S. moves closer to getting space taxis.